Pep: I have no regrets, I don’t blame Steffen

PEP GUARDIOLA insisted he had no regrets over his team selection at Wembley and refused to blame reserve keeper Zack Steffen.

Guardiola made seven changes to the Manchester City side that drew

0-0 with Atletico Madrid on Wednesday to progress to the last four of the Champions League, resting Ederson for Steffen, who plays most domestic cup-ties.

Steffen was culpable for Liverpool’s second, as a poor touch allowed Sadio Mane to charge him down and score.

The USA international — who also allowed a volley from Mane to slide past him on the cusp of half-time — was shattered at the final whistle and was consoled by Ruben Dias.

Guardiola said: ‘I have a lot of confidence in my players. We had a lot of fixtures and travels and a lot of important games and that’s why I picked the team.

‘The first goal (from Ibrahima Konate) was a set-piece, where Liverpool are so strong and score many goals, and the second was an accident. Then we conceded a goal in the last minute of the first half, but afterwards we showed incredible pride. We didn’t look tired after we scored because football is about momentum.

‘We had the most clear chances and we scored goals. It is not easy to do that against Liverpool. We fought to the end and showed our pride.’

On Steffen, Guardiola added: ‘It was an accident but we need him to try as that’s how we play our football.

‘I spoke to the team in general but it was an accident, it happens. Edi (Ederson) was close in the last game as well. It happens. We need that to create our football. Of course you should review if it happens quite often but we use our keeper to move our opponents into different situations.

‘I would say that the average, the way we create our options, these things can happen. Zack didn’t want to do it. Sometimes the strikers miss in front of the keeper, other times the keeper makes a mistake.’